The Swiss Foundation for UNHCR, Switzerland for UNHCR, is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner for Switzerland. We support UNHCR's mission by mobilizing essential resources and raising awareness on behalf of those who are forced to flee.
To allow UNHCR to protect forcibly displaced populations, the Foundation needs the support of the Swiss people. Every Franc donated is spent in a responsible and transparent manner, and donations are tax exempt.
Switzerland for UNHCR also carries out awareness and advocacy initiatives to draw the general public’s attention to the plight of displaced people in the world, and to what UNHCR does to protect them.
Switzerland for UNHCR responds to strict accountability requirements. As a foundation under Swiss law, it is subject to the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations. Moreover, its use of funds is subject to the United Nations international standards (IPSAS 35).
The UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein (OSL), located in Bern, is the national representation of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It supports Switzerland and Liechtenstein in complying with any requirement under international law, in particular the 1951 Refugee Convention, pertaining to refugees and other people groups covered by UNHCR’s mandate.
To fulfil its mission, OSL works with the authorities of both Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, as well as with non-governmental organizations, the civil society, refugees, stateless persons, and other stakeholders.
The Head of the UNHCR Office is Ms. Anja Klug. She has been appointed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to represent UNHCR in all matters within its mandate.
For information on asylum rights issues in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, or if you need urgent protection advice, please visit help.unhcr.org/switzerland/.